Shell device

ABSTRACT

A shell device includes a protecting frame and a decorative plate. The protecting frame is removably mounted on an electronic device casing, and includes a loop-shaped plate portion for abutment with a back side of the electronic device casing, a frame opening defined by the loop-shaped plate portion, a loop-shaped surrounding wall extending transversely from the loop-shaped plate portion, and an abutting rib formed on an end of the loop-shaped surrounding wall opposite to the loop-shaped plate portion for tight abutment with an end of a lateral side of the electronic device casing proximate to a front side of the electronic device casing. The decorative plate is disposed within the loop-shaped surrounding wall, is exposed partially from the frame opening, and is covered partially by the loop-shaped plate portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a shell device, more particularly to a shell device to be removably mounted on an electronic device casing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Portable electronic devices, such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like, are increasingly popular for consumers. Various shell devices having various patterns, textures, or colors for protecting the portable electronic devices have been launched in the market.

However, the present shell devices for protecting the portable electronic devices are generally formed integrally. Therefore, when the user wishes to change the pattern or color of his/her shell device, it is required to buy a new shell device to replace the old one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a shell device having a replaceable decorative plate.

Accordingly, the shell device of this invention is adapted to be removably mounted on an electronic device casing that has back and front sides and a lateral side interconnecting the back and front sides. The shell device includes a protecting frame and a decorative plate. The protecting frame is to be removably mounted on the electronic device casing, and includes a loop-shaped plate portion adapted for abutment with the back side of the electronic device casing, a frame opening defined by the loop-shaped plate portion, a loop-shaped surrounding wall extending transversely from the loop-shaped plate portion, and an abutting rib formed on an end of the loop-shaped surrounding wall opposite to the loop-shaped plate portion and adapted for tight abutment with an end of the lateral side of the electronic device casing proximate to the front side of the electronic device casing. The decorative plate is disposed within the loop-shaped surrounding wall. The decorative plate is exposed partially from the frame opening and is covered partially by the loop-shaped plate portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a shell device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment when assembled with a mobile phone;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the first preferred embodiment taken along line III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a shell device according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a shell device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the first preferred embodiment of a shell device of this invention is adapted to be removably mounted on an electronic device casing 10 (for example, a mobile phone casing) that has back and front sides 101, 102 and a lateral side 103 interconnecting the back and front sides 101, 102. The shell device includes a protecting frame 2 and a decorative plate 3.

The protecting frame 2 is removably mounted on the electronic device casing 10, and includes a loop-shaped plate portion 21 adapted for abutment with the back side 101 of the electronic device casing 10, a frame opening 26 defined by the loop-shaped plate portion 21, a loop-shaped surrounding wall 22 extending transversely from the loop-shaped plate portion 21, and an abutting rib 25 formed on an end of the loop-shaped surrounding wall 22 opposite to the loop-shaped plate portion 21 and adapted for tight abutment with an end of the lateral side 103 of the electronic device casing 10 proximate to the front side 102 of the electronic device casing 10. The protecting frame 2 further includes a retaining portion 23 and a plurality of notches 24. The retaining portion 23 projects from an inner surface of the loop-shaped plate portion 21 in proximity to the loop-shaped surrounding wall 22. The retaining portion 23 can be formed in various configurations, such as a looped retaining rib, a plurality of retaining bumps, or two opposite retaining ribs respectively formed at opposite sides 211 of the loop-shaped plate portion 21 and respectively pressing two opposite sides 301 of the decorative plate 3. The notches 24 are formed in the loop-shaped surrounding wall 22 and are indented from the end of the loop-shaped surrounding wall 22. The notches 24 are provided for exposing parts on the electronic device casing 10, such a power switch, a charging slot, a USB port, a volume button, or the like. In this preferred embodiment, the protecting frame 2 is made of silicone rubber. The protecting frame 2 can be made of other materials, such as metal, plastic, or the like.

The decorative plate 3 is disposed within the loop-shaped surrounding wall 22 and between the loop-shaped plate portion 21 of the protecting frame 2 and the back side 101 of the electronic device casing 10. The decorative plate 3 is pressed by the retaining portion 23 against the back side 101 of the electronic device casing 10. The decorative plate 3 is exposed partially from the frame opening 26 and is covered partially by the loop-shaped plate portion 21. The decorative plate 3 includes a substrate 31 proximate to the back side 101 of the electronic device casing 10, and a layered structure 32 formed on the substrate 31 and proximate to the loop-shaped plate portion 21 of the protecting frame 2. The layered structure 32 has a pattern layer 321 and a transparent or translucent top layer 322 adhered on the pattern layer 321. The transparent or translucent top layer 322 is provided for protecting the pattern layer 321 from abrading or scratching. The decorative plate 3 further includes a through hole 33 penetrating through the substrate 31 and the layered structure 32. The through hole 33 is provided for exposing a camera lens of an electronic device. In this preferred embodiment, the substrate 31 can be made of metal or plastic. Preferably, the substrate 31 is made of a titanium alloy that is light weight and that has high mechanical strength.

Alternatively, the decorative plate 3 can be composed of the substrate 31 made of different materials.

In assembling the preferred embodiment of the shell device of the present invention, the decorative plate 3 is disposed on the back side 101 of the electronic device casing 10 in a manner in which the substrate 31 abuts with the back side 101 of the electronic device casing 10. The protecting frame 2 is then mounted on the electronic device casing 10 so that the abutting rib 25 abuts tightly with the end of the lateral side 103 of the electronic device casing 10 proximate to the front side 102 of the electronic device casing 10. When the user desires to replace the decorative plate 3, the protecting frame 2 is removed from the electronic device casing 10, and the decorative plate 3 can be replaced with a new one.

Referring to FIG. 5, the second preferred embodiment of a shell device according to this invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment except that the top layer 322 is removably disposed between the pattern layer 321 and the loop-shaped plate portion 21 of the protecting frame 2.

Referring to FIG. 6, the third preferred embodiment of a shell device according to this invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment except that the substrate 31 of the decorative plate 3 is proximate to the loop-shaped plate portion 21 of the protecting frame 2 and the layered structure 32 is proximate to the back side 101 of the electronic device casing 10. In this preferred embodiment, the layered structure 32 is composed of the pattern layer 321, and the substrate 31 is made of glass which is anti-abrasive and light-transmissive. Alternatively, the substrate 31 can be made of light-transmissive plastic, such as polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, or the like. The substrate 31 is provided for protecting the pattern layer 321 from abrading or scratching.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

We claim:
 1. A shell device adapted to be removably mounted on an electronic device casing that has back and front sides and a lateral side interconnecting the back and front sides, said shell device comprising: a protecting frame to be removably mounted on the electronic device casing, and including a loop-shaped plate portion adapted for abutment with the back side of the electronic device casing, a frame opening defined by said loop-shaped plate portion, a loop-shaped surrounding wall extending transversely from said loop-shaped plate portion, and an abutting rib formed on an end of said loop-shaped surrounding wall opposite to said loop-shaped plate portion and adapted for tight abutment with an end of the lateral side of the electronic device casing proximate to the front side of the electronic device casing; and a decorative plate disposed within said loop-shaped surrounding wall, said decorative plate being exposed partially from said frame opening and covered partially by said loop-shaped plate portion.
 2. The shell device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said decorative plate includes a substrate, and a layered structure formed on said substrate and having a pattern layer.
 3. The shell device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said substrate is to be disposed proximate to the back side of the electronic device casing and said layered structure is proximate to said loop-shaped plate portion of said protecting frame.
 4. The shell device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said decorative plate further includes a top layer on said pattern layer, said top layer being one of a transparent layer and a translucent layer.
 5. The shell device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said top layer is adhered on said pattern layer.
 6. The shell device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said top layer is removably disposed between said pattern layer and said loop-shaped plate portion of said protecting frame.
 7. The shell device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said substrate is proximate to said loop-shaped plate portion of said protecting frame and said layered structure is to be disposed proximate to the back side of the electronic device casing.
 8. The shell device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protecting frame further includes a retaining portion projecting from an inner surface of said loop-shaped plate portion in proximity to said loop-shaped surrounding wall, said decorative plate being pressed by said retaining portion against the back side of the electronic device casing.
 9. The shell device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said decorative plate further includes a through hole penetrating through said substrate and said layered structure.
 10. The shell device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said substrate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of glass, metal, and plastic.
 11. The shell device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protecting frame further includes at least one notch formed in said loop-shaped surrounding wall and indented from said end of said loop-shaped surrounding wall.
 12. The shell device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protecting frame is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, metal, and plastic. 